Surgical brace



R. C. BLAIR, JR

SURGICAL BRACE Oct. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 23, 1953 INVENTOR R.C,B Za. 2'1", J1". @WJM ATTORNEY R. C. BLAIR, JR

SURGICAL BRACE Oct. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001.. 23, 1953 INVENTOR R.U.,Blaz'r,zfrz BY M a QM ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 4- Claims.

This invention relates to an orthopedic appliance and more particularly to an adjustable means for use with such devices as cervical appliances or the like.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will provide for the most minute and accurate possible adjustments.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that in orthopedic appliances such as those where it is desired to retain portions of the body in fixed relation during the healing of fractures or the like, extreme accuracy of positioning is essential.

This is particularly true in the case of cervical appliances designed for proper positioning of the head during the healing of the fracture of the cervical vertebrae or the like.

A particular object of this invention, therefore, is the provision of a device of this nature which may be adjusted to the body of the patient for securing the head and neck in the desired relationship with the most minute accuracy, and which may be further adjusted to the individuals needs with almost micrometric exactness.

Still further objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown one form of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of orthopedic appliance embodying the adjusting features of the instant invention shown as applied to the head of a human being;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of one of the adjusting means for the device;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view showing the rear adjusting member of the device;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line t-d of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 4, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 6-t of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line ll of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Figure 3, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a constructional detail.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 2 parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention comprises an orthopedic device including a breastplate 2B of conventional design and a back plate 2i, including portions 22 adapted to rest on and overlie the shoulders. Portions and 22 are adapted to be connected by strap members 23 which may include adjusting buckles 24, the latter being secured fixedly to one member as by means of rivets 25 and by releasable means such as snap fasteners 25 to the other member. Similarly straps 2! are provided connecting the rear plate 2| to the breastplate as by means of snap fas teners 28, the straps 2'! being adapted to be passed under the arms of the wearer of the appliance.

The particular adjusting means for the chin rest 39 and the neck brace 3! are best shown in Figures 2 and 3. It may here be pointed out that the chin rest is of conventional construction and merely includes a concave plate including inner padding and having upstanding side portions 32 adapted to support the chin to me vent vertical movement of the head.

The head and neck support includes an arcuate portion including ears 34 adapted to extend on opposite sides of the neck, and a head supporting portion 35. Suitable chains 36 may extend from chin portion 33 to the ears 34, or if desired straps may be substituted therefor.

Having now particular reference to the ad justing means for the device and more particularly to Figure 2, there are disclosed as a fixed part of breastplate 25 two identical members ill which may be referred to as female adapters. An identical member fililw is secured beneath the chin rest 39. All of these members are substantially identical and comprise rectangular blocks, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 respectively. Each of the blocks comprises a rectangular body ll provided with a plurality of transverse bores #52 which may be of variable number but which, in the illustrative embodiment, are disclosed as three. The member ii! is secured to breastplate 2c in any suitable manner, as by rivets 63.

The inner padding of the breastplate is indicated in Figure 6, as at 26a. An identical construction prevails in the arrangement of member etc, as shown in Figure 1, and which is afiixed to the chin rest 30; the reference characters in Figure 7 being designated, as to corresponding parts, as am, 4212 and 33a respectively.

Adapted to extend into a selected bore A2 or 420, respectively are two inwardly turned stud members 35, being in opposed relation and comprising the extremities of hairpin members designated as 46. There are three of these members 46, two extending downwardly to the members ber 36 upwardly or downwardly for the purposeof selectively clamping the studs 45 in the asso-.

ciated bores 12 or 52a. The slide locks 50 comprise, as best shown in Figure 8, merely rectangular members provided with aligned parallel bores 5| through which extend the legs of the hairpin members 46.

There is also provided,-as best shown in Figure 2,1.a central or. master locking member 55.

which is comprised of opposed plate sections. 58

suitably secured togetherand provided with horizontal parallel bores 5| for the reception of all of the legs of the members'AB-Q Between the legs of each memberthere isprovided in the member 55 a recess 5'! and a threaded bore 53 for the reception of a screw 59. Seated within the recess El is a star washer 60 or the like, of sufiicient dimensionsto bearagainstthe opposed legs'of its associated member 46 for, the purpose, when the screw 59 is tightened, of clamping the sametightly against linear movement. The screw 59 may be ofany desired type, but are preferably Phillips headed, as shown best in Figure 2, in order to prevent accidental or unauthorized dislodgement.

The arrangement of the adjustment of head plate 3! relative to back plate 2|, as best shown in Figure 3, is substantially but not quite identical. There is disclosed as secured to head plate 3! member 4%, identical to member a, which in turn carries two studs b of a hairpin member 66b which is provided with a slide lock; 5%. A central master locking lock b is substantially identical in configuration tothe lock 55 previously described, but supports U-shaped or hairpin members which are provided with straight ends 66, omitting the studs45b. The extremities of these members, instead of engaging member 40, engage in blocks 6'1 each block being provided with a locking screw TEL-and each block being secured, as by a rivet 68"or the like, to back plate 2!. The blocks 61- are provided with looking screws 78 and locking washers H which coact with the legs of the members 65 at their lower extremities in the manner substantially identical to that of the screws 59 previously described.v

As best shown in Figure 10, the members 65 v are provided with an angular bend I2 in order that the rear adjustment may conform'tonormal body configuration.

From the foregoing it will now be seen :that there is herein provided an improved adjustment for orthopedic appliances, which accomplishes all of the obpects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, all as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an orthopedic appliance," comprising breast and back plates, a chin "support, and a neck and head rest, an adjusting device for varying the distance between the chin rest and thebreast plate comprised of a pair of spaced blocks secured to said breast plate, said blocks having a plurality of apertures therein, a pair of hairpin members having lugs engaging in said apertures, slidelocks on said members a single block secured to said chin rest and provided with a plurality of apertures, a third hairpin member having lugs selectively engaging in said last mentioned apertures, a slide lock in said third hairpin member, and a master lock plate securing said three hairpin members in a selected location.

2. In an orthopedic appliance, comprising breast and back plates, a chin support, and a neck and head rest, an adjusting device for varying the distance between-the chin rest and the breast plate comprised of a pair of .spaced blocks secured-to said breast plate, ,saidblocks. having a plurality of apertures therein, a pair, of hairpin members having lugs engaging in said apertures, slidelocks onsaidmembers; a single block securedto' saidchinzrest; and provided with apluralitycof apertures, a third hairpin member having lugs selectively engaging in said last mentioned apertures, a slide lock in said third 1 hairpin member, and a master lock plate scour-- ing said-three hairpin'members in a selected location, said masterlock plate including bores adapted to surroundthe legs of said hairpin members and clamping means for engaging said legs.

,a plurality of apertures therein, a pair of hairpin members having lugs engaging in said apertures, slide locksxon said members; a single block secured to. said-chin. rest and provided with a plurality ,of: apertures, a third hairpin member having lugs selectively engaging in said last mentioned'apertures, a slide lock in said third hairpin member, and a master lock plate securing said three hairpin members in a selected location, said master lock-plate including bores adapted to surround the legs of said hairpin members and clamping means for engaging said legs, said clamping means including set screws and washers adapted to clamp said legs.

4. In an orthopedic appliance, comprising breast. and back plates,. a chin support, and a neck and head rest, an adjusting device for varying the distance between the chin rest and the breast platecomprised of a pair of spaced blocks secured to said breast plate. said blocks having a plurality of'apertures therein, a pair of hairpin members having lugs engaging in said apertures, slide locksaon said members; a single block secured to said chin rest and provided with a plurality of apertures, a third hairpin member having lugs selectively'engaging in said last mentioned apertures, a slide lock in said third hairpin member, and a master lock plate securing said three-hairpin members in a selected location, and a-corresponding adjusting device for varying the distance. between said back plate and said neck and head rest.

Number Name Date 1 Autenrieth Jan; 12, 1897. 

